Basic Fly Tying - Missouri Trout Fishermen`s Association

A BEGINNING COURSE
IN THE
ART OF FLY TYING
by
Tom Criswell
PRESENTED BY
Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association
Kansas City Chapter
Class Schedule
FIRST MEETING:
A:
Discussion of materials and tools
B:
Instruction on knots, head finish, weighting hooks
1.
Half-hitch knot & thread control
2.
Whip finish
3.
Lead wire wrap & hook preparation
C:
Hand out material list for next meeting
SECOND MEETING:
A:
Tie Woolly Worm fly
1.
Chenille, yarn, peacock bodies
2.
Weighted & un-weighted hooks
B:
Tie Woolly Booger fly
1.
Chenille, yarn, peacock bodies
2.
Weighted & un-weighted hooks
C:
Hand out material list for next meeting
THIRD MEETING:
A:
Tie Fur Bug/Scud fly
1.
Dubbed with natural fur
2.
Dubbed with synthetics
B:
Tie Nymph
1.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
2.
Generic Nymph
C:
Hand out material list for next meeting
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FOURTH MEETING:
A:
Tie various wet flies
1.
Arlene - Bluegill/bass fly
2.
Rubber - legs
B:
Tie soft-hackle flies
1.
Orange & pheasant
2.
Purple & starling
C:
Hand out material list for next meeting
FIFTH MEETING:
A:
Tie basic dry flies
1.
Ant ( in various materials)
2.
Bi-Visible
B:
Solicit pattern suggestions for last meeting
C:
Hand out material list for last meeting
SIXTH MEETING:
A:
Tie marabou fly and jigs
B:
Tie patterns requested by class
C:
Wrap-up
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Required Tools
You need only a few tools for a basic fly tying setup. Even though most people
who take up the art of fly tying continue to add to the basic tool set as they
progress, your first tool set must include the following.
♦
FLY TYING VICE: A fly tying vice is needed to hold the hook
securely while you are tying a fly. A beginning tier will want to purchase a
good vice; not the most expensive or the least expensive. A good beginning
vice is the Thompson model A or equivalent. This tool should be able to be
purchased for $25 to $40.
♦
SCISSORS: Get the best pair of scissors that you can
afford! The scissors will need to have fine tapered blades that close
completely and cut to the very point of blade. The handles or finger loops
must be sized so that you can easily pick up and use the scissors. A second,
heavier pair of scissors for heavy work is a good idea. The second pair
should be larger for use on fur, tinsel, ribbing and such. A good pair of
scissors should be available for $10 to $15.
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♦
BOBBIN: A bobbin is needed for good thread
control while tying. The first bobbin you purchase should of a size to fit in
your hand comfortably with a spool of thread on it. Bobbins are not
expensive but there is a range of prices. Pick one that suits you. You may
want to purchase more than one bobbin to save the hassle of changing
spools of thread when tying different flies.
♦
HACKLE PLIERS: Hackle pliers are used during tying
to hold hackle feathers and other material. The main point to look for in
hackle pliers is jaws that meet squarely and firmly. Try to get a pair of pliers
that can be opened easily with one hand. Some types are very strong and
hard to open.
There are people who are willing to help you select a good set of basic tools at
most of the area fly tying shops. You may wish to obtain other tools as you
continue tying flies; however, the tools listed above are the basic items.
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Master Material List
TOOLS:
Vise-Thompson model A or equivalent
Scissors- tapered bladesfine point
Bobbin-Medium size to hold standard spool
Hackle Pliers-Good quality with even jaws
HOOKS:
Mustad 9671 or 3906B
Tiemco TMC 2487
Mustad 94840
Tiemco TMC 200R
Size 8-12
Size 12-20
Size 14-20
Size 14-18
WRAPPING/DUBBING MATERIAL:
1 Pkg. Chenille – Size medium; brown, black or olive
1 Pkg. Australian Oppossum Hair
1 Pkg. Scintilla Dubbing – Gray, Olive, Shrimp (pink)
1 Pkg. Scintilla Dubbing – Black or Brown
1 Pkg. Peacock Herl
FEATHERS:
1 Pheasant Tail (Center Preferred)
1 Pkg. Marabou – Brown, Black, or Olive
1 Turkey Feather
1 Pkg. Hackle – Brown, Black, Olive (sm pkg.)
OTHER:
3 Spools Thread – 1 ea. Of Brown, Black, Olive; size 6
1 Pkg. Lead Wire – Or equivalent material to weight flys
Size to match size of hook to be
Weighted.
1 Spool Copper Wire – Size Small
1 Pkg. Round Rubber – White in color, for rubber legs
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